8th July 2023

Marsh Barton Station Exeter
David Tozer

Gents,
My first visit since opening of the new station at Marsh Barton, Exeter earlier this week.

150238 and 150232 with the 0955 Exmouth to Paignton. 150238 is one of two 150/2's still in the old GWR blue the other being 150219. Copyright David Tozer

60007 ' Sir Nigel Gresley' with the 0500 Wolverhampton to Kingswear with 47828 on the rear out of sight. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks very much David

Wickwar Signalbox?
Richard Giles
Puts us right

 
Hello Keith
 
Firstly apologies if someone else has been preparing or prepared Wickwar Signal Box information!
I thought I could add this to Driver Alan Peter’s report from 5th July, although I have not view the video link.
 
The ‘signal box’ here is in fact a private house garden gazebo, made to an excellent Midland Box replica standard.
 
Of the three submitted views all taken on 13th April 1998;
 

1. 43197 ‘The Railway Magazine Centenary 1897-1997’ leaves the 1,401 yard Wickwar Tunnel with 1E36 1300 Plymouth – Newcastle Virgin XC service (copy right Richard Giles).
2. A close up view (now no longer possible due to access as a private company now operates from this area) of the workmanship on the structure (copy right Richard Giles).
3. A view north bound towards Charfield showing the much missed, now 21 years ago Virgin XC loco hauled trains with 47822 leading the 1V48 1117 Manchester Piccadilly – Bristol Temple Meads service. The ‘proper’ Midland design signal box, closed in November 1965 was located behind the loco and the former station site was close to the end of the train. The small goods yard was along the right hand site (copy right Richard Giles).

 
It is interesting to record the house with the unusual gazebo has come on the market for sale at least once during I think the early 2000 from memory and was priced in access of £500,000. I would suggest a possible gazebo building date was circular 1997-1998.
I also recently had a South Wales based DBS driver who had been working freight diversions tell be about the structure and how he had never seen it before but had been ‘occasionally’ working the line for around 10  years!
 
Hope of interest and use
 
Richard Giles, Clevedon. North Somerset.

43197 ‘The Railway Magazine Centenary 1897-1997’ leaves the 1,401 yard Wickwar Tunnel with 1E36 1300 Plymouth – Newcastle Virgin XC service (copy right Richard Giles).

A close up view (now no longer possible due to access as a private company now operates from this area) of the workmanship on the structure (copy right Richard Giles).

A view north bound towards Charfield showing the much missed, now 21 years ago Virgin XC loco hauled trains with 47822 leading the 1V48 1117 Manchester Piccadilly – Bristol Temple Meads service. The ‘proper’ Midland design signal box, closed in November 1965 was located behind the loco and the former station site was close to the end of the train. The small goods yard was along the right hand site (copy right Richard Giles)

 Many thanks indeed Richard for putting us right and supported by excellent photographic evidence too. Absolutely no need to apologise we are delighted to receive your advice. I did look up the box and could find no trace of it, the replica appears as a glimpse in the video mentioned, I also wondered about access and could find no obvious route either on Google Earth or Streetview. I'll forward your letter on to Driver Alan Peters.

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Dennis Clarke on patrol
Par & St Blazey

Par Box - 3rd July 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Par - down side.. 3rd July 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Par.down side - starter signal soon to disappear - footings for the replacement sadly already in place. 3rd July 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Outside the regional Freight Centre and wagon works. 3rd July 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

A rake of soon to be replaced CDA's. 3rd July 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Recovered track at St blazey. 3rd July 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Taken outside the fence. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Many thanks Dennis for the results of your patrol.
Sorry I am a little late putting it on site.

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An interval at
Par
Steve Shepherd.

 Sharing some photos of the happenings at Par, midday today (Friday7th July 2023) .

1. The 1206 pulls into Platform 1 at Par, with the 1203 Newquay to Paddington exiting the station in the background. the reflecting sunlight gives the Hitachi unit a hint of the old 'fag packet' livery on the HST's from 20 years ago.
2. The signal is off for the 1206, as a Sprinter comes off chapel siding to work the 1213 Newquay, saying goodbye to a classmate behind.
3. The Sprinter snakes round the back of the signal box into platform 3.
4. Always a fine sight, PR 5 with PR 9 in the background. 

Although I did not take any photos of railway personnel, it was nice to see the signallers at all three 'boxes on the journey to Newquay smiling as they went about their duties. in the warm summer sun. Can't beat Cornwall on days like this.

Keep up the great work with the website, bye for now,
Steve Sherwood   

12.06 Penzance - Par. 7th July 2023 Copyright Steve Sherwood

12. 06 Penzance 12. 13 Newquay Chapel sidings. 7th July 2023 Copyright Steve Sherwood.

It's 12. 13 and the Newquay unit comes off Chapel siding. 7th July 2023 Copyright Steve Sherwood

Signal pr5 with pr9 and thebackground. Copyright Steve Sherwood.

Many thanks Steve.

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Chocolate and cream at
Swindon
Colin Pidgeon

Hi Ken, - .2 photos of 57313 t&t 57601 on 1Z59 Cardiff Central to Windsor & Eton Riverside Northern Belle.
plus 66525 on 4L36 Wentloog to Felixstowe.
Regards Colin Pidgeon

57313 leads the 1Z59 Cardiff Central to Windsor & Eton Riverside. 7th July 2023. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.7th July 2023. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

57601 at the rear on 1Z59 Cardiff Central to Windsor & Eton Riverside. 7th July 2023. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

66525 on 4L36 Wentloog to Felixstowe. 7th July 2023. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks Colin.

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